Blue-Green Algae: Resources for Health Professionals

On this page you will find resources for clinical and public health professionals about blue-green algae-related illness.

• Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) and Cyanotoxin Poisoning Case Reporting and Investigation Protocol (EpiNet), P-02198​ (PDF)
• Harmful Algal Blooms Toolkit: A planning guide for public health and emergency response professionals, P-00853 (PDF)
• Blue-green Algae (Cyanobacteria) and Cyanotoxin Poisoning Reporting Requirements (Memo BEOH-2019-01)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Veterinary Reference Card (PDF)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Physician Reference Card (PDF)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Animal Alert Poster (PDF)

Aluminum blue-green algae signage is now available for local public health, tribal, and select DNR authorities to purchase. Please email the Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) Program for ordering instructions.

HAB Program newsletters

• January 2023: A Review of 2022: Illness case summaries and highlights from the 2022 HAB season.
• October 2022: Local and State HAB Updates: Highlighting local HAB work and program events.
• July 2022: Communicating about Harmful Algal Blooms: Best practices for communicating during public health crises with a HABs example.
• May 2022: Your 2022 HAB Guide: Your 2022 "quick reference" HAB guide and a spotlight on new signage for dog swim areas.
• January 2022: "Habby" New Year! A recap of the 2021 HAB illness season and a spotlight on unique blooms. 
• June 2021: Your 2021 HAB Guide: Your 2021 "quick reference" HAB guide and program updates.
• August 2020: Your 2020 HAB Guide: Your 2020 "quick reference" HAB guide and program updates.
• March 2020: HABs and Climate Change. The intersection of HABs, climate effects, and health.
• February 2020: Advancing science: New clinical tests for detection of cyanotoxins. Clinical toxin testing in the news and some Valentine's Day messaging.
• January 2020: Habby 2020! 2019 in review and comparative results from the 2018 and 2019 Harmful Algal Blooms Survey.
• October 2019: Did you take the 2019 HAB Survey? Soliciting survey-takers, freshwater HABs as 'Events of National Significance', and an end-of-season farewell.
• September 2019: Preparing for Fall Blooms (the Scummy Ones!). Waterfowl hunting and dog safety, and FAQs of the 2019 bloom season.
• August 2019: The Cyanobacteria Strike Back! A new fact sheet for the public, blue-green algae as a One Health issue, and a fun animated video.
• July 2019: How to ID a Bloom. Classic bloom characteristics, bloom look-alikes, and simple, no-cost tests for identifying blue-green algae.
• June 2019: New Blue-Green Algae Guidance. New federal recommendations for two cyanotoxins and a fact sheet for Wisconsin summer camps.
• May 2019: Are you HAB-ready? Preparing for Healthy and Safe Swimming Week and the 2019 HAB season, and highlights from a Lake Superior HABs workshop.
• April 2019: The Lowdown on Cyanotoxins. Common cyanotoxins and their effects on human and animal health.
• March 2019: Getting to Know Your HAB Response Crew. The faces of HAB-related illness investigation and response in Wisconsin.
• February 2019: Be our HAB-entine! Cyanobacterial reproduction, factors that promote blooms, and algae under ice!
• January 2019: "Habby" New Year! DPH HAB Program resolutions, BGA 101 and BGA lingo.
• December 2018: Introducing the Harmful Algal Blooms Newsletter! Results from the 2018 HAB survey for local health departments.

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If you are a public health or environmental health specialist who would like to receive the monthly newsletter, please email DHSDPHHABS@dhs.wisconsin.gov and ask to be added to the list.